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Hi I'm Joanna

About Me

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Wife and mother of 4. I work full-time, and the rest of my time is basically divided between running a household, reading, working out or walking the dog. I wish I could say I enjoy gardening, as we have a large garden - but I would much rather do the ironing and watch an old movie instead...

Why I am a Mormon

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My mother converted to the Mormon Faith when I was only a year old, so I spent my childhood and youth in the church. As for everyone who grows up within the church, there comes a time when one has to 'find out for oneself' and make a conscious decision to stay or leave. For me it was a very gradual process. The church and the Gospel framework had always provided me with a sense of belonging and purpose, and I never considered leaving, but I was well into my twenties before I could emphatically say 'I believe this - I know it's true.'
For me it was lots of little things, like jigsaw puzzle pieces, that just fell into place and fit perfectly together. The fruits of the Gospel were so obvious to me. I knew that if I stayed put and stayed close to my Heavenly Father and my Saviour, They would help me become a better person; a better mother, a better wife, a better daughter, a better friend. And I knew I couldn't do it alone, and I found great comfort in realising that I didn't have to do it all alone.
The church still provides me with a sense of purpose and belonging, but more than that, it has brought me closer to my God and my Saviour, and given me a stronger desire to show my gratitude to them for all the blessings in my life by being the best person I can possible be.

How I live my faith

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Having been a member of the Mormon church almost my whole life I have hade many different assignments or 'callings' in our local unit. I have taught children in the children's organisation, I have taught teens in our church's scripture study programme, and I have been a leader of our local women's organisation. For several years I also served as Public Relations coordinator. At the moment I teach a youth Sunday School class.

What do Mormons believe happens to us after we die? What do Mormons believe about life after death?

Joanna

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We believe our spirits are separated from our bodies and go to a sort of 'waiting area' where everyone is given the opportunity to learn the Gospel and accept or reject it. We believe that after Jesus Christ has returned to the earth, all who have died will then be resurrected and reunited with their physical bodies, and then we will be judged according to our actions in life and the desires of our hearts. Finally, we will go to heaven, but there will be different levels of heaven, depending on our judgement. But all levels will truly be heavenly. Show moreShow less

How do I become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church)?

Joanna

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To become a member of the LDS church, one needs to be baptised by a person with the authority to do so - and normally one goes through a series of educational sessions with either missionaries or other members of the church to ensure that one has a basic knowledge of the Gospel and it's principles prior to baptism.Show moreShow less

What is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' attitude regarding homosexuality and same sex marriage?

Joanna

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We don't know why some are affected by same gender attraction. But the law of chastity applies to everyone, no matter their sexual orientation. Heavenly Father instituted marriage between a man and a woman as the ideal way to create families and bring new spirits into mortality, and we can't change that just because society now chooses to disagree. What we can and must do, is to respect and love our brothers and sisters who are homosexuals. They are welcome as members and can serve in the church just like anybody else, but they are asked to curtail their sexuality, just like anybody else who is not in a heterosexual marriage. Show moreShow less

Do Mormons practice polygamy?

Joanna

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No. If you ask my husband he will clearly state that one wife is more than enough. :-)Show moreShow less

What do Mormons believe concerning the doctrine of grace?

Joanna

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We believe that Jesus Christ is very literally our Saviour, and we need to be saved! We believe that we came to this earth to learn to have faith and to obey the commandments, but we believe that our Heavenly Father knew it would be impossible for us to make the right choices all the time - so he provided a 'way out' of our sorry state - through the saving grace of Jesus Christ. If we just believe Him, and try our best, and repent when we make mistakes or sin, and 'hang in there' til the end - we are saved by grace. It is not a question of either works or grace - it is a question of both works and grace. Both are necessary. We can't save ourselves, and Jesus can't save us if we don't want to be saved - because he never forces anybody. But his arms are always stretched out towards us. And there is always hope. That is the Good News of the Gospel. Show moreShow less

In whom should we have faith?

Joanna

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The first principle of the Gospel is faith in Jesus Christ. We should have faith in Him. Show moreShow less